Three Songs to Start is a visual exploration of open mics across the Lehigh Valley. Whether deciding at the last second or planning for days in advance, performers are typically given three songs to express themselves in front of a different crowd each night. Find weekly installments at lehighvalleylive.com/music.

To be a Bohemian is to be defined as someone who creates as
an artist or writer and lives outside the world of conventional tradition.

Musician and host Bill Medei was looking for a location that could nurture such
individuals when starting an open mic in Bethlehem. He found it at Hookah Turka.

"I was looking for someplace that was Bohemian,
someplace that had that feel," Medei says. "The owners said 'We'll
try it.' They tried one night and now we're at two and we're moving to a third
night."

Thursdays generally see the biggest crowds with the open mic
going from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. Mondays and Wednesdays provide
musicians, poets, freestyle rappers or whoever to get up and show what they
can do. It is one of a few locations to host open mics that can allow for a
younger crowd to contribute, which was clear to owner Duygu Alkan when she
opened the lounge.

"I didn't think there were enough places for the 18-20-year-old crowds to go since bars aren't an option," Alkan explains. "Sometimes
it takes some convincing to get people to walk in because of the stigma about
hookah, but I'm proud to say most people that do generally are impressed and
love the atmosphere."

The setting is far from the dark, smoky image one might imagine upon considering hookah. Bright, vibrant paintings and tapestries
hang on the colored walls. Soft-pillowed, lush sofas and benches make for
comfortable seating, while drapes hang to complement the space and provide
subtly framed gathering areas.

"I was inspired by my Turkish heritage," Alkan
continues, "A lot of what you see in the decor is in fact Turkish, with a
Moroccan and modern spin."

Three Songs to Start: Hookah Turka open micBill Medei hosts an open mic at Hookah Turka 8:30 p.m. to midnight every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. From seasoned musicians to amateurs, all are encouraged to perform before the engaging crowd set amongst a uniquely modern Turkish decor.

It's not a space created to be a music venue, but one that
has found a niche with its open mics. Many of the guests who fill the space for
the shows don't play, but rather take the opportunity to meet friends, relax,
share a smoke and check out what the dedicated performers bring to the stage.
When things are really clicking, all in attendance can be silenced by the
delicacy of a smoothly sultry voice or prompted to rise up to clap along or
stomp their feet along with an energized player.

It all starts with host Bill Medei, who has given numerous
professional performers or casual players a chance to grow in the craft.

"I started one of the first open mics in the area back
in 1974 or 1975," he states, emphasizing his longstanding interest in
music, "We try to encourage new people to come up on stage. The way to
learn music is to get up in front of people."

Many have listed Hookah Turka as a launching pad for their
furthering musical endeavors. Regulars continue to come back
after playing their first open mic right at this location and go on to
play all over the region.

One of the first places singer/songwriter Matt Dellecker
ever played was at Hookah Turka. He now plays all over the region in support of
his original music.

"I fell in love with that place," he says, "The ambiance, the talent, the supportive nature of everyone there on a weekly
basis, it all made for a perfect open mic to go to that allowed me to learn who
I am as a performer."